Formula 1 bosses have announced an unchanged calendar for 2012, despite continuing doubts over the races in the United States and Bahrain. The revived US race, due to take place on a new track in Austin, Texas, had been given a deadline of this week to raise money to pay the sanctioning fee.

Meanwhile, there are concerns about the wisdom of racing in Bahrain next April because of continuing civil unrest. A bomb exploded outside the British embassy there only on Sunday.

Despite that, the race was included on an unchanged 20-race calendar issued by a meeting of the World Council of governing body the FIA in Delhi on Wednesday.

Pieface

7th Dec 2011 13:45

Sky Sports F1 have announced there line up, and to be honest I'm mostly impressed with the crew they got.

Martin Brundle and David Croft commentators
Ant Davidson as Practise commentator
Ted Kravitz (Which is the one I'm happy about most probably) with Natalie Pinkham as pit reporters
And then the bad selection Georgie Thompson.

Seriously, Georgie Thompson? Oh the irony, Sky F1 has a convicted drunk driver on their team.

Problem with the line up, the best thing about BBC's coverage, Jake, Eddie and David isn't there.

Throbbi

7th Dec 2011 13:49

Let's hope Pirelli change things a little for next season. 2011 started with Pirelli really making things interesting with dramatic differences in the grip and degradation levels of the different compounds but towards the latter half of the season things slowly became a Bridgestone affair again with tyres lasting silly amounts of time and removing the tactical elements seen at the start.

I've got no idea what difference the helium would make in the wheel guns.
In season testing will make some interesting changes. ~The last couple of years have seen some teams being very competitive early on only to drop off significantly as the season progresses (Renault being a prime example last year). A lot of this, I think, is down to some teams being unable to maximise the results gained from wind tunnel testing, hopefully in season testing will help to even things out.

The banning of exotic engine maps and strict control of exhaust placements will show us who were really making the most out of blown systems.

EDIT: Crofty in the commentary box with Brundle?! Epic Win!
Can't wait to see who fills the last seats but it's good to see old Pedro back again, always liked that guy :)

alastor

7th Dec 2011 13:53

Disappointed that BBC didn't manage to hang on to at least some of the commentators, makes me worried for who they will actually have (if Leggard is back I might just buy Sky).

Updated OP with Sky/BBC live broadcasts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Throbbi

I've got no idea what difference the helium would make in the wheel guns.

Apparently it allows ~30% faster rotation of the gun, but the FIA has decided the cost wasn't worth the benefit :lol:

TheKrumpet

7th Dec 2011 13:57

Won't be watching this, certainly can't afford sky as a student. A shame, 2011 was really good year for F1, viewer figures were up, and then it gets licensed to Sky and quite a few people can't watch as a result. :(.

RedFlames

7th Dec 2011 13:57

Against my better judgement i am tempted to get a sky sub... but if i do it means 'they' win...

Krikkit

7th Dec 2011 14:05

Thanks for starting the thread Alastor, good postage. :)

2012 technical changes are shaping up to be quite decent, I'm looking forward to it. The change in nose height coming over the next few seasons is going to be a big aero challenge, even though no-one's really touched on it yet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieface
(Post 2897184)

Sky Sports F1 have announced there line up, and to be honest I'm mostly impressed with the crew they got.

Martin Brundle and David Croft commentators
Ant Davidson as Practise commentator
Ted Kravitz (Which is the one I'm happy about most probably) with Natalie Pinkham as pit reporters
And then the bad selection Georgie Thompson.

Sounds like a good team to me - whichever broadcaster has Ted, Crofty and Ant is my winner really, as they're the heart and soul of the team from my perspective (I don't really enjoy the Eddie/Jake/DC banter that much, I'll watch some of it, but not 8h/weekend). Now if only they could find some way to get ScarbsF1 into the program... That'd be a real winner!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieface
(Post 2897184)

Seriously, Georgie Thompson? Oh the irony, Sky F1 has a convicted drunk driver on their team.

Never even heard of him!

As for Sky vs BBC I'd rather have it on the Beeb, but since our household already has a Sky subscription the stats won't change because of me (if we didn't have it already I wouldn't get one, I hasten to add).

Throbbi

7th Dec 2011 14:11

The only reason i have Sky is that it's the only luxury we can afford really and it's kind of unfair that I have internet use and the wife just has the TV, when it's without Sky but through a Sky box that's very few channels(you can't even get Dave for example). Basically just with HD is £10.25 a month and that would include the F1 channel when it launches. It only gets really expensive when you start adding movies, sports or multi-room really.

Da_Rude_Baboon

7th Dec 2011 14:15

alastor

7th Dec 2011 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krikkit
(Post 2897200)

Thanks for starting the thread Alastor, good postage. :)

:thumb:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krikkit
(Post 2897200)

Never even heard of him!

Not a bad looking fella to be fair, think I'd rather look at her than Jake/DC/EJ :lol: